LONDON, Feb 1 — Liverpool have completed the British transfer record signing of Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll, Liverpool said yesterday.

Media reports said Liverpool paid £35 million (RM175 million) to bring the 22-year-old England international to Anfield.

"Andy Carroll has tonight completed his transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool FC and signed a five-and-a half-year-deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2016," Liverpool said in a statement on their website.

Carroll became the most expensive signing by a British club, eclipsing the fee Manchester City paid Real Madrid for Robinho and Manchester United paid Tottenham Hotspur for Dimitar Berbatov.

Carroll's move to Liverpool, who have also signed Uruguay's Luis Suarez from Ajax as new manager Kenny Dalglish re-models his squad, paved the way for Fernando Torres to complete his switch to Chelsea.

Spain's Torres was poised to join the west London club for a fee that could reach 50 million pounds, according to reports.

The powerful Carroll, born in the Newcastle heartland of Gateshead, made his first-team debut in 2006 and has developed into one of the Premier League's most feared frontmen, netting 11 times in the league this season.

His muscular game, touch and finishing ability earned him a call-up to Fabio Capello's England squad in November when he made his international debut against France.

Carroll's departure is a huge blow to Newcastle and their fans who have given the pony-tailed "No.9" cult hero status after his 19 goals last season helped Newcastle regain their place in the Premier League. — Reuters

 

LONDON, Feb1 — Chelsea have agreed a fee with Premier League rivals Liverpool to sign Spain striker Fernando Torres.

"Liverpool Football Club tonight confirmed they have agreed a fee with Chelsea for the sale of Fernando Torres. The player has now been given permission to speak to the London club," Liverpool said on their website (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv).

The transfer fee will be a British record of around £50 million (RM250 million), according to media reports.

Liverpool rejected a bid from the Premier League champions last week but, having agreed a £26.5 million-fee for Uruguay striker Luis Suarez from Ajax Amsterdam, they agreed to sell the 26-year-old Torres.

The Spain forward joined the Anfield club from Atletico Madrid for around £26 million in 2007.

Chelsea have not made any major signings during the January transfer window but buying Torres is a real statement that the club owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich remain big hitters in the market.

They also still hope to sign Benfica's Brazilian defender David Luiz, media reports said. — Reuters